Wilderness Walk for 1-31-2012: Game Day Edition

by BReynolds on Jan 31, 2012 9:01 AM CST in Wilderness Walks

Whew. We're back, baby. You all look fat and tired through my computer screen, what with all the lack of Walking. Get your shoes, let's go.

Yes, hockey is back tonight, with a big home game against the red hot Nashville Predators. A week long layoff would be a bad sign, but the Preds had the same layoff, so maybe that's a wash. Maybe not. From all reports, the Wild will go with the same lineup that is riding a two game winning streak, meaning Marek Zidlicky sits again. It is refreshing to see a coach who demands the best and is not afraid to stick a guy on the bench if the results aren't there.

It's been so long since we have seen any real hockey, I'm not even sure I know how to watch it anymore. Of course, it is my wife's birthday (and Nathan's daughter's birthday), so it may be unlikely either of us get to watch any real hockey for another night or so.

We have your links, though, to get you back in the mood. Enjoy.

First Things First

Defending The Blue Line | Joining Forces Community Challenge - Go vote. Now. Before you read any farther. Click the link, vote. Do it.

Wild News

CHART: Sizing up the Wild down the stretch | StarTribune.com - Sizing them up. Shouldn't take too long.

Scoggins: Wild's top stars need to lead this push to playoffs | StarTribune.com - Yes, yes they do. And it is really nice to see Nick Schultz listed among that group.

Latendresse practices, but Koivu nearer to returning | StarTribune.com - All good news.

Crunch time for Wild | StarTribune.com - "The Wild hopes it rediscovered its winning formula just before the All-Star break, turning hard work and good defense into goal-scoring chances." Sorry Tom.

Wild ready to focus on final push to playoffs - PLAYOFFS? YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PLAYOFFS?!? Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Enemy News

On the Forecheck - Our good friends at OtF will be the opposition tonight. Enjoy that.

Off the Trail

Bettman reiterates support for shootout as tiebreaker - Anytime an organization claims they have a 70-80% support level on anything short of giving away money for free, I have strong doubts. I'mbetting this is a less than scientific poll. Seven years into doing this, I have never, ever had someone tell me "Man I love the shootout."

Agents of Change: Ritch Responds - The Press - Have an hour to kill? Take in this mezmorizingly terrible post from an NHL agent. It goes from pompous bragging about the hoity-toity books he has read, into a debate about what Ayn Rand wants the press to be, to comparisons of Thomas Paine and hockey bloggers, to a TOI issue with Cody Hodgson (his client), to American politics, to German psychologists, and all throughout constant bitching about the media.

I wondered if this was written by Grandpa Simpson, and if the author walked out of his office with a fish in a plastic bag shouting "Who's coming with me?"

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Comments

In watching the video from practice yesterday posted on the strib

The team doesn’t even score in practice much.

by cgp711 on Jan 31, 2012 9:28 AM CST reply actions

I wander what the historical record says about games after a long layoff...

I always get the impression that the road teams seem to get off a bit better start. I don’t know why, but it seems to be the team in the more controlled situation (hotel stay, team bus, food schedule, etc.) seem to be better prepared to get things going after more than a couple days off than the team which is at home.

I wander if there is any actual correlation there. I have no idea how to tease out those numbers though. I’m excited for some hockey tonight, even if it’ll have to be on the radio.

by Krotz the Wall on Jan 31, 2012 9:45 AM CST reply actions

* wonder

Of course, I could probably ‘wander’ the historical record.

by Krotz the Wall on Jan 31, 2012 9:46 AM CST up reply actions

The only thing that matters is I’ll be there so the Wild will win

2010-2011 Minnesota Wild Fantasy League Champion
President/CEO of the Tutu Many Slapshots fantasy hockey club

by Chris Winner on Jan 31, 2012 11:04 AM CST up reply actions

Im going to catch shit for this but its ok

I love the shootout. I know its not real hockey. Its random chance( unless your goalie is backstrom,then your probably losing).
I really don’t even know why. Seeing some of those sick moves, koivus backhand, the spin a rama, toews thirty dekes, are just awesome.

Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against

by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Jan 31, 2012 9:55 AM CST via mobile reply actions

could have been kane, i dont remember exactly

Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against

by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Jan 31, 2012 9:56 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

It was Kane

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jan 31, 2012 9:58 AM CST up reply actions

big fan of the shootout also(except when Kane makes Backstrom look like a soccer goalie), but if every game has a winner and loser now I wish they would just go to wins and losses instead of having all these 3 point games. Of course 3 point games keep the playoff races tight, keeping fans in the seats and of course bringing in more money, and it’s all about the money.

by plainoldbob on Jan 31, 2012 11:28 AM CST up reply actions

I'd have less of an issue with shoot outs

if the league went to a different point system.

3 pts for a regulation win
2 pts for an overtime/SO win
1 pt for an overtime/SO loss

The league has decided that it doesn’t want games to end in a tie. I don’t support OT until there is a winner in the regular season. So, we’re probably stuck with the SO. Make the points per game consistent and make sense at least.

Of course, my preferred scoring method is a modified one similar to what is used in European ‘soccer’.

3 pts for a win
1 point for each team for a tie

For a hockey game, if the game is tied at the end of regulation, there is a short overtime period. If the score remains tied, both teams take a point. If one team wins, they still get 3 points and the losing team gets no points. That way a tied game is worth less points than a game that is won. A team can still play for the tie, to get that point, but it’s worth more, and possible to make up more, if you go for that win.

by Krotz the Wall on Jan 31, 2012 10:15 AM CST reply actions

This

I also think the NHL should do 10 minute OT. Not very often a goal won’t come in 10 minutes of 4 on 4 OT.

by ThatGuy22 on Jan 31, 2012 10:28 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed with the 10 min OT

Although I don’t think the PA would agree to that.

by cgp711 on Jan 31, 2012 10:39 AM CST up reply actions

I think the key would be finding that right balance for a number...

probably one that isn’t double-digits… maybe 8 minutes.

by Krotz the Wall on Jan 31, 2012 10:41 AM CST up reply actions

I like both the 3,2,1 point thing and they really should go to 10 minute OT. But maybe after realignment when we stop playing so many west coast games. :)
I prefer the shootout over a tie though.

by HonorableH on Jan 31, 2012 10:43 AM CST up reply actions

Not a fan of the shootout.

It is another attempt to try and attract people to the game with a lame skills spectacle. You work your butt off for 65 minutes so that some kid with an attitude can come down and showboat to the crowd and you lose the game, pretty tacky if you ask me.

by cgp711 on Jan 31, 2012 11:25 AM CST up reply actions

I respect that

I only started being a big hockey fan a few years ago so shootouts seem more like the norm to me. Teams need to work thier butt off harder if they want the regulation win I guess. Especially the Wild with Backstrom in net. ;) Like Yeo said: “People want to see somebody win. They want to walk away without an empty feeling like, ’Wow, that was a really good tie tonight,”’.

by HonorableH on Jan 31, 2012 11:47 AM CST up reply actions

I like the point system

But a 10 minute over time wouldnt work. Think about having an extra ten minutes when your playing back to backs

by Burnsie4mvp on Jan 31, 2012 10:45 AM CST up reply actions

Win Games in Regulation

If you don’t want to play that extra 10… :)

by ThatGuy22 on Jan 31, 2012 12:21 PM CST up reply actions

Totally agree on the 3 point for a real win system. I like soccer and like the way the tables play out there, too, so I may be biased.

Regressing to the mean since 1981.

by dlfedie on Jan 31, 2012 11:12 AM CST up reply actions

Latendresse:

“Even if I wait, if my head is fragile, if it’s not ready, I’m going to get hurt again. So why wait?”
Scary. I’m worried he’s rushing himself again. But damn do we need him.

by HonorableH on Jan 31, 2012 10:16 AM CST reply actions

It won't or shouldn't be up to him entirely if he plays.

My bet is 2-3 weeks from now we may see him play. But both he and Koivu are practicing today which is a good sign. This probably means no upgrades via trades as well.

by cgp711 on Jan 31, 2012 10:40 AM CST up reply actions

Going to the game

Theres still a ton of cheap tickets left on ticket broker sites. Lets fill it up tonight

by Burnsie4mvp on Jan 31, 2012 10:42 AM CST reply actions

I miss Latendresse

Hope for him to return soon!

Follow @JayKlinkhammer

by y2jayjk on Jan 31, 2012 10:51 AM CST reply actions

Same

Not TOO soon, don’t want him getting hurt again.

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Jan 31, 2012 11:06 AM CST up reply actions

Interesting Blog post from Roman at the Strib:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/138378014.html

The best Canadian junior team is stocked with Minnesotans!

2010-2011 Minnesota Wild Fantasy League Champion
President/CEO of the Tutu Many Slapshots fantasy hockey club

by Chris Winner on Jan 31, 2012 11:06 AM CST reply actions

I was wondering recently where Joey Benik was since he wasn't at St. Cloud yet.

by cgp711 on Jan 31, 2012 11:37 AM CST up reply actions

On shoot-outs...

I’m a relatively new hockey fan, and I come from a strong background in soccer. So far i’ve found the shoot-outs really enjoyable. I like how every match has a conclusion, a winner and a loser.

Hockey fans seem to really hate them, but believe me, games ending in a tie are almost always boring to watch. Whenever my favourite soccer team draws a game i’m left with this empty feeling, like I didn’t get my money’s worth. The shoot-out’s good because it makes a result inevitable.

by GerDevine on Jan 31, 2012 11:21 AM CST reply actions

Oh and, I agree with 3 points for a win.

by GerDevine on Jan 31, 2012 11:22 AM CST up reply actions

Did I read that right?

There are going to be three Reilly brothers on the Gophers next year? Thats crazyness

by ThatGuy22 on Jan 31, 2012 12:23 PM CST up reply actions

yep, I believe 2 are forwards and the younger one is a d-man.

2010-2011 Minnesota Wild Fantasy League Champion
President/CEO of the Tutu Many Slapshots fantasy hockey club

by Chris Winner on Jan 31, 2012 1:33 PM CST up reply actions

Well,

it’s much the same as how soccer fans aren’t big supporters of penalty kicks determining the winner of knock out tournaments. It’s a team game, and no one really feels that a team game should be determined by an individual skills competition.

I’m okay with the SO, though I don’t prefer it, as it is only the means to determine the winner in regular season games. Hockey used to have true ties in the regular season, and many teams played primarily for that tie once they reached over time. The SO forces there to be a winner. The league went to the SO and no ties as a means to appeal to a larger fan base. I don’t know how well it worked, but I’m sure they won’t go back to ties in the league. That’s why I at least hope for games being weighted at 3 points. The two point system doesn’t make sense when it is possible for a game to be worth more.

by Krotz the Wall on Jan 31, 2012 12:40 PM CST up reply actions

That's true.

But i don’t think anyone is really fan, it’s just that there isn’t really any other solution. It’s a shame when a great game has to end in that way, but it’s all we’ve got at the moment.

by GerDevine on Jan 31, 2012 5:35 PM CST up reply actions

From Russo today:

“This Zidlicky thing is coming to a head. I can sense it. Stay tuned on that.”

Maybe he will be traded at the deadline afterall. I used to think it almost impossible to find the right scenario to get rid of him, but as long as the Wild are not asking for much in return, he may be a goner.

by cgp711 on Jan 31, 2012 2:10 PM CST reply actions

Rangers would trade Del Zotto for him right?

Follow @JayKlinkhammer

by y2jayjk on Jan 31, 2012 3:13 PM CST up reply actions

I came on here to add the very same thing, but you beat me to it. When I read that, I did a double-take. Wonder if something is in the works. Damn you, Russo. Such a tease!

It’s fair to say that this season, Zidlicky has just not been a good fit for the Wild. A change of scenery may do him some good. Heck, it would save the Wild about 4 mill.

Son-of-a-bitch is dug in like an Alabama tick!

by Mark It Zero! on Jan 31, 2012 3:31 PM CST up reply actions

He's a goner.

It’s a matter of when now not if:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/138431369.html

by cgp711 on Jan 31, 2012 5:06 PM CST up reply actions

Devils won't deal Parise

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/devils-plan-keep-zach-parise-trade-deadline-losing-144057348.html;_ylt=AiOuQO6ypmf2EyJLEUP8WfF7vLYF

You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Regressing all the way back to high school hockey.
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior

by JDesthubert on Jan 31, 2012 2:50 PM CST reply actions